Trying to Finish a Basement for Mixing, Recording, and Living
Posted: Wed, 2023-Jun-07, 17:53
Hello, I just found this forum while googling around for the term "inside out wall," which I found is the name for what I was planning to build in my basement.
Basically I'm trying to turn my partially-unfinished basement into a finished space that's decent for mixing, listening to music, and recording.
Originally, the basement was finished and my plan was to simply build acoustic panels to treat the space, but I ended up having to install an interior french drain, and as a result, most of the drywall has been torn off, leaving the foundation walls exposed. I viewed this as an opportunity to leave the framing/studs open, with insulation stuffed between, and covered in fabric. This would cover more surface area and safe physical space. I've since learned this idea isn't new and is called an inside out wall.
I need some advice on actually building it, though, or deciding if it would be best to go the more traditional route of drywall plus panels.
The foundation is poured concrete and there is currently a vapor barrier installed against it. For an inside out wall, do I just build 2x6 framing with a small gap between the foundation and the studs?
I've attached pictures to help show the room.
One potential problem is that the ceiling is only 7'. It also has a couple of bump outs for some HVAC venting. I cannot remove the venting, but I can remove the drywall surrounding the venting and creating the bump out. I'm not sureif there is a good solution here for treatment.
I've also attached a rough mockup of the floor plan and general setup. The orange lines represent the bump outs on the ceiling. Blue is speakers. Green is desk. (Nothing to exact scale). The laundry room door can be moved as indicated with the red arrow so that I can treat the side wall.
The Rec Room area would probably house a couch and TV and be the general tracking area (when necessary). Most of the year would just be me working at my desk alone. Only infrequently would there be a full band or some sort of vocal or acoustic guitar tracking.
Similar to the walls, I’m considering removing the drywall from the ceiling, stuffing the joists with insulation, and covering it with fabric. This will negate the need for a cloud and maintain the 7’ ceilings. That said, I don’t know how much of the ceiling to do or if I will unintentionally create a space that’s too dead.
I've also attached some REW measurements I took from before the drain install with no treatment. My desk was set up in the Rec Room area, but the side walls are not symmetrical. I've decided setting up in the small portion of the room will be better in terms of functionality of the room, but the ceiling bump outs may pose a challenge.
Thanks for any help!
Basically I'm trying to turn my partially-unfinished basement into a finished space that's decent for mixing, listening to music, and recording.
Originally, the basement was finished and my plan was to simply build acoustic panels to treat the space, but I ended up having to install an interior french drain, and as a result, most of the drywall has been torn off, leaving the foundation walls exposed. I viewed this as an opportunity to leave the framing/studs open, with insulation stuffed between, and covered in fabric. This would cover more surface area and safe physical space. I've since learned this idea isn't new and is called an inside out wall.
I need some advice on actually building it, though, or deciding if it would be best to go the more traditional route of drywall plus panels.
The foundation is poured concrete and there is currently a vapor barrier installed against it. For an inside out wall, do I just build 2x6 framing with a small gap between the foundation and the studs?
I've attached pictures to help show the room.
One potential problem is that the ceiling is only 7'. It also has a couple of bump outs for some HVAC venting. I cannot remove the venting, but I can remove the drywall surrounding the venting and creating the bump out. I'm not sureif there is a good solution here for treatment.
I've also attached a rough mockup of the floor plan and general setup. The orange lines represent the bump outs on the ceiling. Blue is speakers. Green is desk. (Nothing to exact scale). The laundry room door can be moved as indicated with the red arrow so that I can treat the side wall.
The Rec Room area would probably house a couch and TV and be the general tracking area (when necessary). Most of the year would just be me working at my desk alone. Only infrequently would there be a full band or some sort of vocal or acoustic guitar tracking.
Similar to the walls, I’m considering removing the drywall from the ceiling, stuffing the joists with insulation, and covering it with fabric. This will negate the need for a cloud and maintain the 7’ ceilings. That said, I don’t know how much of the ceiling to do or if I will unintentionally create a space that’s too dead.
I've also attached some REW measurements I took from before the drain install with no treatment. My desk was set up in the Rec Room area, but the side walls are not symmetrical. I've decided setting up in the small portion of the room will be better in terms of functionality of the room, but the ceiling bump outs may pose a challenge.
Thanks for any help!